Claims
- 1. A method of cutting material comprising
connecting a computer to a saw machine, the computer being programmed to optimize cutting of stock to satisfy a cut list, inputting into the computer: (a) a cut list, (b) a minimum salvage length (Smin), (c) a minimum defect length (Dmin), (d) a maximum drop box length (DBmax), inputting the length of a piece of material to be processed, inputting location of any defects in the piece of material, determining a cutting plan in which: (a) salvage pieces having a length less than Smin are cut to lengths of DBmax or less, and (b) defect pieces having a length less than Dmin are cut to lengths of DBmax or less; except if adjacent salvage and defect pieces have a combined length greater than Dmin then the adjacent pieces are not cut to DBmax or less regardless of their individual lengths.
- 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising
cutting pieces according to the plan.
- 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising
automatically printing labels for pieces cut for the cut list.
- 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising
automatically printing labels for (a) pieces included in the cut list, (b) salvage pieces having a length equal to or greater than Smin, (c) defect pieces having a length equal to or greater than Dmin, and (d) adjacent salvage and defect pieces having a combined length greater than Dmin.
- 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the pieces cut to lengths of DB max or less are directed to a waste receptacle for destruction or chipping.
- 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of inputting location of any defects is performed without actually marking the material to be cut.
- 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of inputting location of any defects includes interrupting a light beam near a defect boundary.
- 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of inputting location of any defects includes interrupting a light beam at least twice indicating upstream and downstream sides of a defect.
- 9. A method of cutting material comprising
connecting a computer to a saw machine, the computer being programmed to optimize cutting of stock to satisfy a cut list, inputting into the computer: (a) a cut list, (b) a minimum salvage length (Smin), (c) a minimum defect length (Dmin), (d) a maximum drop box length (DBmax), inputting the length of a piece of material to be processed, inputting location of any defects in the piece of material, determining a cutting plan in which: (a) salvage pieces less than Smin are cut to lengths of DBmax or less, and (b) defect pieces less than Dmin are cut to lengths of DB max or less.
- 10. The method of claim 9, wherein if adjacent salvage and defect pieces have a combined length greater than Dmin then the adjacent pieces are not cut to DBmax or less regardless of their individual lengths.
- 11. The method of claim 9, further comprising
automatically printing labels for pieces included in the cut list, salvage pieces having a length equal to or greater than Smin, and defect pieces having a length equal to or greater than Dmin.
- 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising
automatically printing labels for adjacent salvage and defect pieces having a combined length equal to or greater than Dmin.
- 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of inputting location of any defects is performed without actually marking the material to be cut.
- 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of inputting location of any defects includes interrupting a light beam near a defect boundary.
- 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of inputting location of any defects includes interrupting a light beam at least twice indicating upstream and downstream sides of a defect.
- 16. A method of cutting material comprising
providing a computer programmed to optimize cutting of stock to satisfy a cut list, connecting a computer to a saw machine, the computer being programmed to optimize cutting of stock to satisfy a cut list, inputting into the computer: (a) a cut list, (b) a minimum salvage length (Smin), and (c) a minimum defect length (Dmin), inputting the length of a piece of material to be processed, inputting location of any defects in the piece of material, determining a cutting plan in which: (a) salvage pieces having a length less than Smin are discarded, and (b) defect pieces having a length less than Dmin are discarded; except if adjacent salvage and defect pieces have a combined length greater than Dmin then the adjacent pieces are saved regardless of their individual lengths.
- 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising
inputting a maximum drop box length (DBmax) into the computer, and cutting discarded pieces into lengths equal to or less than DBmax.
- 18. An apparatus for controlling material processing comprising
a saw machine, and a computer connected to the saw machine, the computer being programmed to control optimized cutting of stock to satisfy a cut list, and saving of remaining material including salvage pieces having a length equal to or greater than a preselected Smin, and defect pieces having a length equal to or greater than a preselected Dmin.
- 19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the saw machine includes a pusher configured to push a piece of material toward a saw under control of the computer.
- 20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the computer is also programmed to control saving of remaining material including adjacent salvage and defect pieces have a combined length greater than Dmin.
- 21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the computer is also programmed to control automatic printing of labels for pieces cut pursuant to the cut list and saved material.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 and applicable foreign and international law of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Serial Nos. 60/405,067 and 60/405,069 filed Aug. 20, 2002, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0002] This application incorporates by reference in its entirety the following U.S. patent applications and patents: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/578,806 filed May 24, 2000 entitled “Automated Fence Control Coupling System”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/861,231 filed May 17, 2001 entitled “System and Method of Marking Materials for Automated Processing”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/104,492 filed Mar. 22, 2002 entitled “Automated Fence Control Coupling System”; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/405,068 filed Aug. 20, 2002 entitled “Process Management System and Method”; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 491,307; 2,315,458; 2,731,989; 2,740,437; 2,852,049; 3,994,484; 4,111,088; 4,434,693; 4,658,687; 4,791,757; 4,805,505; 4,901,992; 5,251,142; 5,443,554; 5,444,635; 5,460,070; 5,524,514; and 6,216,574.
Provisional Applications (3)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60405067 |
Aug 2002 |
US |
|
60405068 |
Aug 2002 |
US |
|
60405069 |
Aug 2002 |
US |